NLCS Game 3 Preview: Cubs vs. Dodgers

Coming back to Chicago is always a good feeling. It's home for me. I love it here. I just landed this afternoon and I couldn't have asked for more perfect weather to return to. Currently, in Seattle, the rainy season has begun. I'll take mid 60's and sunny any day.

What I won't take is another loss. Not tonight. Not at home. I won't stand for it. And sure, you could say that I don't have "power over that kind of thing" or that I'm "delusional for thinking I can affect the outcome of a game." To those haters I say, "Psh."

In all seriousness, I'm nervous. I'm sure you are too. The Dodgers are now undefeated in the postseason in 2017 and are coming off one of the most exciting wins in postseason history on Sunday. If momentum exists in sports, the Dodgers certainly have it (a lot of it).

Yu Darvish doesn't scare me. The Dodger bats don't scare me. Being down 0-2 doesn't even scare me. What scares me is the lack of production by the lineup thus far. I'd look to see Javier Baez out of the lineup at second base in favor of Ben Zobrist for the late start tonight. Javy has yet to have a hit in the postseason and, while his glove is an asset (understatement), the Cubs need offense. Plain and simple.

Kyle Hendricks currently owns a career 2.60 ERA in postseason play. These moments don't frighten him in the least. Let's look for him to do what he does and put the offense in a good situation.

Comments

I love Javy but agree he probably needs to sit at least to begin the game. I also would love to see LaStella lead off tonight but I know that is most likely not gonna happen. The Cubs need offense so why not throw an all offensive lineup out there to start.

Lots of offense & Heyward can make up for defensive shortcoming of Zobrist & Schwarber. Shift Heyward to right when Jay comes into pinch hit. I have always likes sliding KB & Rizzo down a spot, with LaStella & Zobrist usually seeing alot of pitches could equal more opportunities for Bryzzo. I know Maddon will not do this, one can dream.

It just is so disappointing that the Cubs lead both games in this series and couldn't hold the Dodgers off in both games. These were winnable.
Everyone complains about our bullpen, but during the second half CJ was pitching very well, Duensing pitched well all year and Monty was good too. Is it the pressure? Even Wilson pitched well for Detroit and yet when he came here he hasn't delivered. Do we need a different bullpen or just improving the psyche's of the our pitchers during the playoffs?

OT, but this hits close to home here at Cubs Den, so I thought I'd share. Brock Chadwick is a 7-year-old with terminal brain cancer. His (dying) wish is to receive Halloween cards from all over the world, and we know there are Denizens everywhere. I made and sent one this morning. We can use all the good Karma we can get. "Team Brock" on Facebook.

I was just about to say that, especially with the wind blowing out; Happ's hit home runs at a high rate this year, Joe's iPad should've told him that, pretty obvious he just does what he wants, not much analytics.......

I’m as much of an analytics guy as you’re going to find but it’s not the only factor. If the analytics say Happ is better than Zobrist by a narrow margin against pitchers like Darvish, I’m going Zobrist every time for the experience. It has to be more than numbers.

Whether its GM 3 of the NLCS or a Tuesday game in May, I am always disappointed when Javy is not in the lineup. Sure he's O'fer. But he's far from alone in failing on offense -- although he makes something happen, whether its a walk or a drop third. Plus, it is a mistake to undervalue the D -- there's the throw out at home in Gm 5, the tag on Puig and the great running catch down the foul line. Those plays are potential game changers, equivalent to a hit, or double or homer in some instances.

Also, I see that Puig is now batting cleanup. This will be fun. I can only hope that Joe lets Kyle pitch longer than his inclination is. Let Kyle pitch into the 7th at least, not only to show that he can do it but to protect us from our bullpen.
Go Cubs!!

Sure this surprises folks, but not feeling like the Cubs have much of a chance tonight. They’ve just been. So. Bleeping. Bad. That said, this is the most critical game of the series. It’s the difference between a sweep, and a five game series. Would love to not get swept. Wood will certainly own us tomorrow, so tonight is key.

At least the fans at Wrigley will get to see NLCS clinching games, 3 years in a row. Who’da thunk it?!

I would have been worried had you posted something remotely optimistic. Your post is perfect for all of us. We are back to normal before a big game. The world is round with the sun rising in the East. Thanks, Stubbs, for your contribution. Whew!!!! We needed that.

Everybody: players, managers, media, and fans just need to chill. The fact the players haven't been chill is part of the reason they're down. They just need to go out there and player ball their way. That means not gripping and ripping, but taking pitches. That means not nibbling, but being smart and aggressive on the mound.

How did the Yankees come back? The last I saw they were losing 4-2 late. I went away and see they won it!
Interesting. After Kyle struck out Puig the ump through a ball back to the mound for the LA pitcher. When the game’s in play if the ball sniffs the dirt they throw the ball out.
Schwarb’s just hit one. Well, that’s the 3rd game we’ve led, let’s hope we change the outcome.

The biggest difference between last year and this year is our lead off man. Dexter had a wonderful year and as Joe often said—as you go we go. That’s as true this year as last year but we could never find anyone who could duplicate Fowler’s OBP. I would say that’s the top priority for next year. I know I’ll get arguments about restocking the bullpen, and I know we will, but when we don’t get that first man on there’s a trickle down response from the other hitters.

Hendricks gave up only 3 runs in 5 innings. Why take him out as good as he is? Why not take the guy out that made the error and put someone else in that may get a hit? Jay and Zobrist aren't hitting either. Put somebody else in.

As good as Hendricks has been? I would argue that he has been mediocre tonight. With as bad as the Cubs bullpen has been this series, they needed Hendricks to come in and shut down the dodgers for 7 plus innings.

I've approaching 70 and have been watching the Cubbies since 1956.
I could take the bad teams when wait until next year was said in August.
But this team is talented, and it hurts to watch this pathetic performance this night. This is an embarrassment to all loyal Cub
fans like myself who have supported our beloved Cubbies all these years.
Its not over yet , but who knows what can happen ?

It’s like there is a mass hypnosis with the whole Cubs team, in all aspects of the game. This season we’ve had times where one part of the game wasn’t working but the others were. Here, neither pitching hitting or defense is.
2015 NLCS swept by Mets
2016 won WS
2017 NLCS (swept) by LA
2018 will win WS
Maybe the Cubs will be like the Blackhawks and the SF Giants—every other year a title.
But this game isn’t over yet.

I don't know if any of you are listening to the radio while watching the game, but the radio broadcast with Pat and Ron is a good 2 pitches ahead of the TV.
Hey, I have to be amused at something tonight.